The Collector's Corner

Hibiki was created to be the paragon of the Suntory blend.  The name Hibiki literally means "resonance" in Japanese, and reflects the Suntory Corporate philosophy to "live in harmony with people and nature."  

The Hibiki Japanese Harmony is the epitome of the Hibiki blend.  Subtle, noble and harmonious, Hibiki Japanese Harmony is a perfect introduction to Japanese Whisky and the award-winning House of Suntory Whisky.

Nose:  Rose, Lychee, hint of rosemary, mature woodiness/sandalwood

Palate: Honey like sweetness, candied orange peel, white chocolate

Finish: Subtle and tender long finish, hint of Mizunara (Japanese Oak)

A perfect expression of harmony, complexity and refinement, VIKING PRIDE combines honey sweetness with delicious hints of cherries wrapped in chocolate, and subtle top notes of aromatic peat smoke.

Named ?best spirit in the world? in the Spirit Journal, on two separate occasions, the intense balance of the flavours found in VIKING PRIDE owes everything to our five traditional keystones of production, honoured for over 200 years. Slow-burning, aromatic peat from Hobbister Moor; hand turned floor maltings, Sherry seasoned European oak casks, cool maturation in our temperate island climate and a long and unhurried harmonisation process. Like our founder, Magnus Eunson, we share our Viking ancestors? commitment to skilled craftsmanship as well as their proud, independent spirit.

ABV: 43%

Originally released for the Taiwanese market, Macallan Aera is a no age statement single malt matured in predominantly in sherry-seasoned oak casks. After its maturation, it was bottled up at 40% ABV in this rather striking black bottle.

A 1996 vintage Ledaig single malt Scotch whisky from Tobermory, which has been given a finishing period in Oloroso Sherry casks. Interestingly, this expression has been made using some of the first peated whisky produced at Tobermory when they started distilling peated malt in 1996!

Peat-dried malted barley is married with naturally peat infused water from the distillery's private water source, a dark aromatic lochan, high in the mountains above the village of Tobermory. Matured in superior Oloroso sherry casks the result is a wonderfully peated single malt with an intense smoky flavorsome character.

The soft gold color of this Ledaig 1996 glistens before you. The nose is rich with fragant smoke, toffee caramel, apple with a hint of mint and a few citrus notes. A wave of crackling peat sets off rich flavor explosions on the palate, black pepper then bursts followed by a light sherry sweetness. The finish is smooth with a spicy salty tail, which disappears into the dark as the peaty embers glow into a smoky finale.

700mL | 46.3% ABV

Peated single malt from the closed Caperdonich Distillery, released as part of the Secret Speyside Collection. This particular expression was matured for 18 years in American oak barrels before being bottled up at 48% ABV.

Nose: Apricot and flamed orange peel, with muted smoke wafting in behind layers of toffee.

Palate: Fiery peat builds, supported by toasted brown sugar and more dried fruit.

Finish: Slightly buttery and savoury.

Made using barley grown on Macallan's Speyside estate, distilled once a year in a single week, this single malt has been matured exclusively in sherry seasoned oak butts and hogsheads. Warm, comforting aromas of cinnamon, dried fruits, sweet lemons and caramel fill the nose, and the palate initially offers notes of warm spice, dry oak and fresh figs. Sweet orange and dried fruit flavours develop slowly, alongside delicate citrus and sweet toffee.

Macallan Estate is presented in a striking box inspired by the landscape of Speyside. Featuring an inlay of hand-cut slate, this unique box reflects the sense of place found in the whisky.

Released in 2013, Ragnvald is part of The Warrior Series, a collection of single malts created for Duty-Free to both introduce a key figure from Orkney?s Viking history and to demonstrate the impact of cask type on our whisky?s flavour, which is immense.

Predominantly matured in the finest sherry seasoned European oak casks, Ragnvald?s flavour is rich and succulent, with distinct yet balanced notes of dark chocolate, candied peel, and oriental spices, all rounded off with heather rich peat smoke.

Ballantine?s Master Blender Sandy Hyslop, hand-selected each and every whisky for this aromatic blend, favouring high proportions of whiskies aged exclusively in first-fill American oak casks.

COLOUR
Deep old gold

NOSE
Deep, soft, fruity aromas, elegant sweetness and vanilla oakiness

TASTE
A complex balance of honey, floral and fruity flavours with notes of vanilla

FINISH
Long-lasting and elegant

Kavalan's incredible Solist Vinho Barrique expression is allowed to mature in casks that have contained red and white wines, and then re-toasted. Very interesting Taiwanese whisky from King Car.

Nose: Vanilla and caramelized sugars with dark chocolate on top. Ripe melon and mango.

Palate: Kiwi and a delicate blend of citrus fruits burst. Pepper is also present in the background waiting to be noticed.

Finish: Clean and complex hints of chocolate and ripe fruit.

Ledaig 23YO 1998 Black Series D.Laing is a vintage whiskey from Tobermory Distillery by Douglas Laing & Co. Whiskey distilled in 1998. It matured for 23 years. Whiskey bottled without cold filtration.

This is a single cask bottling of single malt from Speyside's Glenlivet distillery, bottled in November 2016 with an outturn of 558 bottles (originally released for the German market). This was bestowed the name Cairn na Bruar, taken from a Scottish hill which served as a landmark on smuggling routes back in the day.

Nose: Honey'd sultanas and raisins, peanut brittle and vanilla sponge.

Palate: Nutty at first, with layers of hazelnut cream and diced almond. A hint of ground nutmeg.

Finish: Banana chips and more baking spices.

This is a 21 year old unpeated single malt from Tobermory, which has enjoyed 3 years finishing in oloroso sherry casks before being bottled. 

The nose offers clove-studded orange, dark chocolate, florals and vanilla leading to a palate of prunes walnuts and dark chocolate and a long spice and leather finish.

The Vintner's Trilogy from Bowmore showcases the impact of lengthy wine-cask-finishes on the terrific Islay single malt. The 26-year-old expression began its maturation in ex-bourbon barrels for 13 years, before being moved over to French oak barriques (that previously held wine) for the remaining 13 years.

Nose: Bonfires on the beach (with some grilled pineapple) leading into earthy smoke. Fruity coffee, too.

Palate: Chewy raisins and smoked oak, with a whiff of brandied cherry. A coastal tang develops.

Finish: Salted chocolate and quince jam.

This cask strength beast contains malt from all 28 of the Diageo distilleries, including Auchroisk, Benrinnes, Blair Athol, Caol Ila, Cardhu, Clynelish, Cragganmore, Dailuane, Dalwhinnie, Dufftown, Glendullan, Glen Elgin, Glenkinchie, Glenlossie, Glen Ord, Glen Spey, Inchgower, Knockando, Lagavulin, Linkwood, Mannochmore, Mortlach, Oban, Roseisla, Royal Lochnager, Strathmill, Talisker and Teaninich. The quantitates of each are unknown and it's likely that some of the rarer whiskies are in minimal amounts, but what a great way to try whisky from a whole slew of distilleries  in one hit.